Jack Neil Murff

Jack Neil Murff was born April 3, 1944 in China, Jefferson County, Texas. The son  of 

 Walter Leslie Murff (1897-1974) and Orene Janice Smith (1911-1999). Jack had three syblings.: Robert Walter Murff (1930-2020), Olen Ward Murff (1932) Nancy Rebecca Murff  (1945-1947). Jack lost his sister in a house fire when he was two years old. Jack graduated fro South Park High School in Beaumont Texas the class of 1961. 

  

 Jack attend Stephen F. Austin University where he studied Graphic Design. While taking a break from his studies, Jack was drafted into the Army during Vietnam. He was wounded and contracted malaria during that time but eventually made it back to Nacogdoches to finish his degree and graduated Class of 1971 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts. 

   

     

After his military service, Jack worked for Moore Business Forms and Bailey's Men's Apparel but eventually his entrepreneurial spirit led him to own and operate several businesses including: 

   

The Greenhouse Pot Shop, Brick Street Antiques and in 1975; The Flower Shop and Greenhouse. The Flower Shop as it is now known has been a mainstay for weddings, anniversaries, remembrance of loved ones, new additions to the family, SFA and community events. Jack and his life partner Michael "Mike" Coppedge always enjoyed serving the residents of Nacogdoches and always did so with the utmost attention to detail and consideration of the emotional expression required. They touched many lives in Nacogdoches through The Flower Shop over the last forty-eight years. Jack's protégé and manager of The Flower Shop, Pamala Russell, will honor Jack and his legacy by continuing to do the same.

Jack's involvement in the community was not limited to his businesses. He was highly active in the community and his sense of commitment to Nacogdoches was unparalleled by most. He was a very active member of his college fraternity, Sigma Tau Gamma, and served as an advisor and the house manager of the fraternity house on Mound Street for many years. More importantly, he was a mentor, fraternity brother, and to some a father figure in the fraternity. His fraternity brothers could always count on Jack to help no matter the situation. As if this was not enough, Jack's community service also included many other community organizations such as the Nacogdoches Chamber of Commerce, Texas Blueberry Festival, Main Street, Scare on the Square, Downtown Merchants Association, and the Nacogdoches Christmas Parade; his service spanned many years and he served as member, director, board member or concerned citizen at one time or another depending on the organization. Notably, he was President of The Nacogdoches Downtown Business Association from 1995-1999 and President of the first Main Street Advisory Board in 1998. 

  

       Marty Taylor, Scott Ingalls, Jack Murff, Jeff Abt, Judy Hale, Gerry Larbee, Linda McKinney

He was also part of the delegation that traveled to Austin to petition to have Nacogdoches recognized as a Texas Main Street City. Most recently, Jack was serving on the board of the SFA Friends of Visual Arts, an organization near and dear to his heart. This organization is dedicated to supporting the visual arts in Nacogdoches including the students and faculty of SFA and local galleries such as the Cole Art Center. Of equal importance was Jack’s treatment of his fellow citizens, whether it was a neighbor, friend or stranger, Jack was always wiling to help those in need. Nacogdoches is going to miss his compassion and benevolence.

"Jack was the epitome of a "citizen par excellence" and will be greatly missed here in Nacogdoches. Jack was one of the kindest and most generous people many have ever met. He was known for his warm smile, infectious laugh, and thoughtfulness." 

Jack N. Murff, age 79, of Nacogdoches, Texas passed away on Sunday, May 7, 2023. 

Janice Marie Harvin

 Marie Harvin's career demonstrates a lifelong love of her profession, meticulous attention to the literature of cancer, and a total commitment to a strong professional association. She is recognized by her many colleagues as a no-nonsense librarian of the old school and a giant of our profession.

Janice Marie Harvin, born in 1924 in Alto, Texas, died in Houston on November 18, 2000. She was a child of the Texas depression, strong-willed, independent, proud, committed to the values of hard work and education. Marie graduated from Stephen F. Austin State University, Nacogdoches, Texas, in 1943 and from George Peabody College Library School, Nashville, Tennessee, in 1945. She served as catalog librarian at Vanderbilt University Medical Library (1947–49) and at the University of Maryland (1949–55). Marie also gained experience in medical reference work at the University of Nebraska College of Medicine (1955–56), at Vanderbilt (1956–57), and at the National Library of Medicine (1957–60). Later, until 1966, she was director of the Medical Library at the University of Arkansas. Then, until her retirement in 1984, she directed the M. D. Anderson Research Medical Library in Houston.

Not to be overlooked are her love of the history of medicine and her contributions to the Medical Library Association (MLA). The History of Cancer Collection at M. D. Anderson was her pride and joy. While cataloging items in that collection, she discovered a letter written by John Shaw Billings. Another "find" several years earlier was a letter written by Sir William Osler to a Baltimore physician.

Marie understood the need for a strong professional association. She was host librarian for the first meeting in Little Rock of the Southern Chapter in 1963. Together with Ann Hutchinson of the Roswell Park Cancer Institute in Buffalo, New York, Marie was instrumental in the formation of the Cancer Librarians Section in 1974. She served as the first president of the newly formed South Central Chapter in 1973. It should also be noted that, in typical Marie fashion and illustrative of her independent spirit, she resigned from MLA for a time, because, as she said, it was "dabbling too much in politics!"

Perhaps Marie's philosophy and personality were best described by her friend and mentor, the late R. Lee Clark, M.D., who said, "Ms. Harvin is not a routine librarian. She is endowed with creativity and imagination and at the same time has a very practical outlook on daily responsibilities that libraries in a research and teaching institution demand."

The librarians in the Texas Medical Center remember Marie Harvin with great fondness.

Article from Jackson SJ, Hoffman K. (Janice) Marie Harvin, 1924–2000. J Med Libr Assoc. 2002 Jul;90(3):361. PMCID: PMC116420.

Louis Lafayette “Billie” Haltom

Louis-Lafayette-Billie-Haltom

Distinguished Flying Cross

    

Air Medal

Purple Heart Medal

   

Name	Billy Haltom
Race	White
Age	23
Relationship to Draftee	Self (Head)
Birth Date	24 Jul 1922
Birth Place	Nacogdoches, Texas, USA
Residence Place	Ogden, Utah, USA
Registration Date	1945
Registration Place	Ogden, Utah, USA
Height	5 11
Weight	165
Complexion	Ruddy
Hair Color	Brown
Eye Color	Hazel
Next of Kin	Mary Haltom

Louis Lafayette "Billie" Haltom was born June 14, 1919, in Nacogdoches County to Henry Grady and Callie Spinks Haltom. He grew up in Melrose, Texas, and graduated from the Stephen F. Austin Demonstration High School in Nacogdoches. Following graduation he attended Stephen F. Austin College. Billie entered the Army Air Corp in 1940, trained in Muskogee, Randolph Field and Kelley Field. He served in Europe and the South Pacific, Belgium, France, Germany, and Tokyo. His Air Force service spanned a twenty-year period and his military decorations included the Distinguished Flying Cross with two Oak Leaf Clusters and the Air Medal with three Oak Leaf Clusters, 4 battle Stars, He was wounded over France in 1943 for which he recived the Purple Heart. After retiring from active military duty in 1960, he worked in the oil industry in Wichita, Kansas, before returning to government service with USAID as the director of aid for the Mekong Delta in Vietnam. In this role, he was responsible for programs that built schools and roads serving the people of the region. He later worked for the United States Postal Service and for the Bureau of Engraving and Printing in the Department of the Treasury.

 

The American Air Museum in Britain

Billie Senior in Highschool Class of 1937

Billie Haltom a Sophemore at Stephen F. Austin 1939

Billie Haltom 1940

On back Margr and Jeeter Lindsey

The Story of Billie Haltom's being shot down over France, and his evasion of being captured and making it to Gibraltar. Told in his own words. (This is a copy of a classified file of the report Billie had to make about being shot down. that has been declassified and is now available in PDF form on Line.) 

PDF. file of Lt. Billie Haltom's Report about being shot down

Louis Lafayette "Billie" Haltom's Obituary

Louis Haltom Obituary

Louis Lafayette "Billie" Haltom, 87, a retired United States Air Force lieutenant colonel, died March 13, 2007, while visiting family in Beaumont, Texas. Col. Haltom, who lived in Alexandria, Virginia, was born June 14, 1919, in Nacogdoches County to Henry Grady and Callie Spinks Haltom. He grew up in Melrose, Texas, and graduated from the Stephen F. Austin Demonstration High School in Nacogdoches. Following graduation he attended Stephen F. Austin College prior to serving in the Air Force during World War II. His Air Force service spanned a twenty-year period and his military decorations included the Distinguished Flying Cross with two Oak Leaf Clusters and the Air Medal with three Oak Leaf Clusters. After retiring from active military duty in 1960, he worked in the oil industry in Wichita, Kansas, before returning to government service with USAID as the director of aid for the Mekong Delta in Vietnam. In this role, he was responsible for programs that built schools and roads serving the people of the region. He later worked for the United States Postal Service and for the Bureau of Engraving and Printing in the Department of the Treasury. In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by sisters, Louise Haltom and Zenie Williams. He is survived by his sister, Sue Jean Dunn; and his niece, Betty Dunaway; and nephews, Ronnie Williams, Kevin Dunn and Kyle Dunn. Services will be held in Nacogdoches at 2 p.m. Friday, March 16, 2007, at Laird Funeral Home with visitation beginning at 11 a.m. Col. Haltom will be buried at Arlington National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Melrose Cemetery Fund or the American Heart Foundation. Laird Funeral Home.

Billie Haltom's Find A Grave page

Louis Lafayette “Billie” Haltom VVETERAN

BIRTH

14 Jun 1919

Nacogdoches County, Texas, USA

DEATH

13 Mar 2007 (aged 87)

Beaumont, Jefferson County, Texas, USA

BURIAL

Arlington National Cemetery

Arlington, Arlington County, Virginia, USA 

 

Name	George Truitt Haltom
Gender	Male
Race	White
Age	18
Relationship to Draftee	Self (Head)
Birth Date	7 Sep 1924
Birth Place	Nacogdoches, Texas, USA
Residence Place	Nacogdoches, Nacogdoches, Texas, USA
Registration Date	18 Dec 1942
Registration Place	Nacogdoches, Nacogdoches, Texas, USA
Employer	John Cecil Burrows
Height	5 4
Weight	144
Complexion	Ruddy
Hair Color	Brown
Eye Color	Brown
Next of Kin	Tom Haltom

George Truitt Haltom

BIRTH

7 Sep 1924

DEATH

5 May 2005 (aged 80)

BURIAL

Shady Grove Cemetery

Nacogdoches, Nacogdoches County, Texas, USA

McNeil Grimes Jr.'s Fold 3 Memorial

 

Name	McNeil Grimes
Gender	Male
Race	White
Age	17
Relationship to Draftee	Self (Head)
Birth Date	22 Oct 1926
Birth Place	Nacogdoches, Texas, USA
Residence Place	Nacogdoches, Nacogdoches, Texas, USA
Registration Date	21 Oct 1944
Registration Place	Nacogdoches, Nacogdoches, Texas, USA
Employer	Nibco of Texas Inc
Height	5 4
Weight	125
Complexion	Light
Hair Color	Brown
Eye Color	Blue
Next of Kin	McNeil Grimes

USS Schuyler

July 13,1945 nearly five months after the 100th birthday of Schuyler County the USS Schuyler (AK-209) an Alamosa-class cargo ship  was commissioned in Sturgeon Bay,Wisconsin under the command of Lt. B.G. Fold USNR.Not many people know that the USS Schuyler was named in part for our beautiful home of Schuyler County Missouri and the she served in WWII. The USS Schuyler set out from Mobile on August 9,1945 but by the time it arrived in the Pacific at Leyte on September 28th she and the cargo she was carrying were no longer needed do to the end of the war so the USS Schuyler remained in the Philippines until the cargo was bought and distruted by the United Nations Relief and Rehabilitation Administration for distribution in China. The USS Schuyler was decommissioned in March of 1946 and struck from the Navy List June of 1946 went on to serve under charter to the Japanese Government until December of 1954 where she was placed in the Nation Defense Reserve Fleet in Olympia, Washington. She was finally scrapped only a week and two days before Schuyler County celebrated its 126th birthday in 1971.

USS LCI(L)-641

LCI(L)-351 Class Landing Craft Infantry (Large):

Laid down, 22 May 1944, at New Jersey Ship Building Corp., Barber, N.J.

Launched, 26 June 1944

Commissioned USS LCI(L)-641, 1 July 1944, LTjg Phil Myers in command

During World War II USS LCI)L)-641 was assigned to the Asiatic-Pacific Theater

Following World War II USS LCI)L)-641 performed occupation duty in the Far East from 24 September 1945 to 14 April 1946

Decommissioned, date unknown

Struck from the Naval Register, date unknown

Sold 26 February 1947

Final Disposition, fate unknown

M

cNeil Grimes Jr. was born October 22, 1926, in Nacogdoches Texas USA. The son of McNeil Grimes, Sr. and Lillie Mae Sisco. He married Barbara Ossie Bethune together they had four children.: Terry Neil, David Lee, Kathy Ann, andPatricia Gayle. A Graduate of Nacogdoches Highschool he entered the Navy in 1945. He served in the Philipines aboard the USS Schuyler (AK-209), and the LCI(L)-351 Class Landing Craft Infantry. A long-time resident of Nacogdoches, McNeil proudly worked for NIBCO for 50 years. He taught High School Bible Class and served as Deacon for Stallings Drive Church of Christ. He later served as an Elder of the church from 1970 to 2017. He passed away Monday, March 12, 2018. He is buried at Fairview Church Cemetery in Nacogdoches, Nacogdoches County, Texas, USA .

OBITUARY McNeil Grimes Jr.

Name	Mc Neil Grimes Jr
Gender	Male
Death Age	91
Birth Date	22 Oct 1926
Birth Place	Nacogdoches
Residence Place	Nacogdoches
Death Date	12 Mar 2018
Obituary Date	14 Apr 2022
Father	Mc Neil Grimes
Mother	Lillie Mae Grimes

McNeil Grimes Jr. Find A Grave Memorial

McNeil Grimes Jr.

BIRTH

22 Oct 1926

Nacogdoches, Nacogdoches County, Texas, USA

DEATH

12 Mar 2018 (aged 91)

Nacogdoches, Nacogdoches County, Texas, USA

BURIAL

Fairview Church Cemetery

Nacogdoches, Nacogdoches County, Texas, USA